Portarlington resurrected its season from the brink of collapse with a stirring BPCA A2 Grade round 12 clash against Barwon Heads on Saturday.
The Demons were 6-45, but managed to fight back and make 9-126 thanks to 34 not out from Joel De Bono and contributions from Ash Gillett (15) and Blake Dobbin (19).
Nick Sutton and Luke Schilling grabbed three wickets each for Barwon Heads and even though Port had fought back, the run chase was still well in their favour.
A 3-12, Dobbin had removed three of the Seagulls’ top order bats and suddenly the game swung Portarlington’s way.
Darcy Hewitt (21), James Ponsford (20 not out) and Ben Harris (19) were the only Heads players to make double figures as Dobbin completed a three-vote performance with 5-27 to get the Demons home by 21 runs.
Port is still outside the four, but only on percentage and with bottom side Newcomb to come next week, could be in the four going into the final round.
For Barwon Heads, it dropped to third with top side Drysdale its opponent this week before ending the home and away season with Newcomb, which will be enough to see it play Armstrong Creek in the finals. The only question mark is which side finishes second and earns a home final.
Armstrong Creek regained second spot on the ladder by beating Little River.
The Titans batted first and were well served by Dylan Flanigan (53 from 71 balls) and Clay Mulgrew (32 from 60) while Cal O’Brien made a quick 25 from 22 deliveries in the final total of 8-173. Paul Trotter took three late wickets for Little River.
The Redbacks had no shortage of contributors with the bat when it was their turn at the crease, but nobody could get going.
They ran out of overs and ended 33 runs short as O’Brien completed a good game with three wickets.
Drysdale will finish the season as minor premiers after a predictable win against Newcomb.
It was the Charlie Clode show. Clode made a stunning 132 from only 117 balls in Drysdale’s imposing 4-256.
Consistent skipper Nick Hallam made a typically classy 79 from as many deliveries and shared in a 171-run stand with Clode.
Bulls’ skipper Brendan Sheedy tried valiantly with the ball, snaring 2-23 from eight tidy overs.
Five ducks stood out on the scoresheet after Newcomb’s unsuccessful run chase.
The Bulls were all out for 55 with left-arm seamer Dylan Justice taking 5-17 and Blake Spencer 3-18.
Winchelsea held onto fourth spot on the ladder with a win against Wallington.
Wallington batted first and made 95 with Matthew Nelson taking 3-28.
Winch was given a fright at 4-25 in its run chase, but Adam Korth (43 not out) and Ryen Smith (18 not out) guided the Blues home with a valuable unbroken 73-run partnership.
